Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna Göteborg, better known as IFK Göteborg, was first established in October 1904. Historically, they are one of Sweden's most popular and most successful clubs, having achieved success in both domestic and continental competitions. They have enjoyed an uninterrupted spell in the top flight of Swedish football since gaining promotion in 1976.

The club's golden era spanned the duration of the 1980s and 1990s. Over the course of these two decades, IFK won eight Allsvenskan titles and a number of other domestic cup competitions. The 1982 season, under the management of Sven-Göran Eriksson, was especially significant, as IFK Göteborg won every major competition they entered: the Allsvenskan, the Allsvenskan playoff, the Svenska Cupen and the UEFA Cup. The side would later add a second UEFA Cup win in 1987, beating Dundee United in the final.

Despite winning less league titles than Malmö FF, IFK Göteborg have a claim to being Sweden's most successful team, as they have been crowned Swedish champions more than any other team. This is because, for several seasons, the winners of other domestic competitions were given the title of Swedish champions. In total, IFK Göteborg have won 18 Swedish titles, 13 Allsvenskan titles and have lifted the Svenska Cupen on five occasions. Their two successes in the UEFA Cup still stand alone as the only major continental trophies won by a Swedish team.

Amongst the most notable footballers to play for the side are Bertil Johansson, Glenn Hysén, Glenn Strömberg and Torbjörn Nilsson. All four players were named in the all-star team named by Göteborgs-Posten readers back in 2004.

IFK Göteborg have played their home matches at Gamla Ullevi since the venue's opening in 2009. The stadium replaced the team's previous home, also called Gamla Ullevi, after it was demolished in 2007. Gamla Ullevi is shared with two other clubs, GAIS and Örgryte IS, and is currently able to hold a maximum of 18,800 supporters.